Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-05-10
1ales, aud $ketfhfs.
PRETTY DODO's FOLLY.

are allowed to make coasting hill OF the
public highway" grumbled an uncom-
monty pretty girl. as she hesitated in
great perturbation half way up the i'm
provised slide mentioned.
1t was an irregular and rather precipl-
tous cross street of suburban village.
1t was treacherously icy and swarming
with juvenile coasters, one OF whom had
carried strip of silken ruby founce with
him as he darted past him.
at is quite too bad! and my very incest
dress. too.' she complained, mentally. as
she stopped to draw back and pin together
the damaged bit of drapery.
In the annoyance OF the moment she did
not reflect that something more unpleas-
ant was quite possible if she were not
vigilant.
She was quite too engrossed to hear
boyish SHOUTS of warning in the road
above her, or to see an agile figure
which was springing afrightedly toward
her.
A big sled. freighted with half dozen
reckless urchins, had started down the
tempting descent; on the CLASSY track it
had become partly unmanageable; in a
second more it would he upon her unless
she needed those warning shouts or a
miracle interposed to save her.
Before she had time to comprehend her
peril or understand the sudden s1rill vocit-
CREATIONS, there was wild whirling in
the air and tingling shock, and the next
nstand she felt herself violently whirled
aside by strong arm which had seized
her as the sled flew past.
The agile figure of a manly pedestrian.
whose afirighted gestures she had not
noticed, had flung himself between her
and death, or worse, and she was safe.
As she struggled to her feet a cry of
gratitude and pity quivered from her
startled lips.
She fully realized what her peril had
been and her pity was tor her handsome
rescuer, who was lying stunned and
bruised and bleeding before her.
80. what can | say to you ?-what can
do ?" she ialtered in a distressed voice,
as she bent over him.
His handsome features were alarmingly
paid. and there were tinv drops of warm
led blood staining the frozen snow which
pillowed his fallen head.
But the bright dark eyes Enclosed with
a flashing smile which was delightfully."-
tranquilizing.
Say only that have made charming
friend" he smiled, as with vince OF
pain he uplitted himself to a sitting posi-
ton. II am not badly hurt. have a
surface cash on my cheek. thick, and
have notion there is a sprained limb.
shall not be able to get to my destination
that's CERTAIN" he added as he made q
nd iorhf :
sink back again with suppressed groan
Just then the big sled was hauled back
up the street. the reckless coasters all
penitent and terrified, and eager to render
every service.
A helpful idea frightened the girls
anxious face.
at would be an hour before proper as
sistance could be brought TO you here. >
she said, in her quick. sweet, girlist
voice. "But there is dear, motherly ole
body living in that little cottage at the tor
of the hill. Let the boys put you on the
sled and take you up to her. She is my
friend. and she will do whatever wish.
And so a few minutes later the injured
young gentleman was snugly ensconceC
on a cosy lounge of the cosy little cottage
and physician had been sent for.
"Ah. you will be all right again in {
few days." the doctor said, cheerfully
only you must keep yourself perfectly
quiet and not try to exert yourself in any
way"
II can reconcile myself to the situation
easily if you will promise to cheer my
Imprisonment occasionally" the gentle
man said. with one of his flashing smiles
toward the pretty girl, who readil,
promised what he seemed so eagerly t,
desire.
And that was the beginning of prett.
Dorinda Grey's acquaintance with tn
handsome young stranger whom she hat
exalted to a hero-a king among men.
| He had done only what any other mai
would have done in similar circumstances
He had simply snatched her away from
the track of the flying sled He had per
ceived no risk to himself, no sacrifice; h,
had been safely beyond any collision witt
the coaster-it was his own awkward
stumble on the treacherously CLASSY in
cline which had caused his mishap. TIL
peril was over when he had slipped up
on one OF his heels and fallen. 1t nigh
have happened just the same even if h
had not fastened CALAMITY to the rescu
OF distractingly pretty girl.
But these were trifling little truth
which he did not deem absolutely neces
sarv to reveal. 1t was too pleasant #
pose as a wounded hero, and to have hi
| temporary confinement enivened BY tn
visits of his grateful and interesting new
acquaintance. For his own sake he pre-
terred not to spoil her little illusion Oh
the subject.
And so Doripda went homeward. TAX
ing with her the image of an elegan
! figure and handsome countenance of
fascinating young stranger. whose tone
were like music. whose smile was like
! fash of sunlight, whose brilliant blac
eyes had gazed admringly, almost ten
derby, into her own.
! For a week she missed not a single da
in calling at Mrs. Merron's cottage, wor
shipping the handsome. black eyed her
whom she idolized. Finally the docto
pronounced him out OF danger, an an
nouncement that filed Dorinda with re
gret.
On the last day that he was to be at tn
cottage she volunteered to 60 to the villag
for dress trimmings tor costume tina
was to be part Of the wedding trossea
of Gretchen. who was affianced to Leste
Lestrange.
Stopping at the Merron cottage. he
heart beat rapidly in anticipation of tn
last interview with her hero.
II think you will never quite forget tn